How to File RTI for State Government? Is the procedure different for different states?

The Right to Information Act of 2005 was passed to increase government accountability by allowing citizens to ask for information. The RTI act tries to indirectly ensure that all the departments of the government stay in line with legal processes and documents, since the RTI act has the power to call upon them and get answers.

But first, a quick run-through as to who can file RTI for state government?

Any Indian citizen can file an RTI and ask for information. The citizen can inspect the work of the government and also exercise their right to information.

If you are an Indian citizen who wants certain information or wants to inspect government records, you are a valid applicant to file an RTI.

Indian citizens can exercise their rights to government information by filing an RTI application with a Central or State Public Information Officer. There are multiple administrative levels of the government, like the Panchayat, the Municipal Corporations, the law courts, the Parliament, etc., each with a unique PIO, who will be able to provide the required information depending on the application or a query filed under the RTI Act.

How to file RTI for state government?

Your application of RTI for state government can even be simple plain paper. However, you need to make sure that your contact details like name and address are clearly mentioned.

Understand the information that you need first. It will help you phrase your request correctly. Then decide the questions you want to ask. The questions must be clear, specific and understood easily.

Try to identify the public authority that has the required information as closely as you can. The government department, public sector enterprise, NGO, etc. can be the concerned authority that has the information that you want.

You can ask for information from any public authority, including state departments that are established, constituted, controlled, owned, or substantially financed directly or indirectly by the State Government according to the RTI act, like:

the Panchayat raj institutions,

Courts of law,

The Parliament,

State Legislatures and

Other organizations and institutions like NGOs.

Next, find the concerned SPIO (State Public Information officer) for state government departments. There are various designated post offices in the country to file an RTI for state government with APIOs (Assistant Public Information officers) pertaining to any government public authority.

You should know that there is no particular format required to file RTI for state government unless mentioned by that particular state government or its department. You can check the format for your state here by going to Point 11 - Also check the rules corresponding to the state in there.

For example, in accordance with the Right to Information Act of 2005, the Uttar Pradesh Government announced its own set of rules for filing the Right to Information request. So in such a case, you need to follow these rules while filing an RTI in UP.

Submit your RTI form with the paid receipt of your fees, as required by the state. All the states have their own rules and fees to file RTI for state government [again refer to point 11 in the link shared above], but those below poverty line are exempt from paying any fee according to the law.

As per the RTI Act of 2005, citizens will require to pay costs that include following:

Initial application fee

Demand draft,

banker’s cheque or

cash with subsequent receipt of Rs. 10

Information Fee

Rs. 2 per page that is printed, copied or created in A4 or A3 size

Rs. 50 per disc if information is in that form.

Record inspection fees

First hour is free after which the fee is Rs. 5 per hour

A dated and stamped receipt is always needed to file an RTI form, as well as proof that your application has been received by the PIO you’ve sent it to.

The methods to submit a RTI application are:

Personally, by hand

Registered /Speed Post

The preferred modes of payment vary depending on the state government.

For state government departments: By Indian Postal Order (IPO) of Rs 10/- favoring the Accounts Officer of the department OR 10 rupee non judicial court fee stamp OR cheque or demand draft.

The information you seek is required to be sent to you within the prescribed period of 30 days. The fee to be paid if the information is delivered on time varies from state to state. For example, the details of fee for Andhra Pradesh can be seen here.

The information provided shall be free of charge if a public authority does not comply with the specified time limit.

An appeal can be filed within 30 days to the Appellate authority if the information is dissatisfactory.

A second appeal can also be filed within 90 days, with the State Information Commission of the state to which the Public authority belongs, or to the Central Information Commission for central government public authorities.

How to file RTI for State Government in a MUCH Simpler Way?

Here is an easier solution to the long procedure that is required to file RTI for state government and public authorities across India. To use the fast and easy way, go to our website OnlineRTI.com to file your RTI for state government.

Our team of expert lawyers at OnlineRTI process your application, find the exact department that has the information you need and draft your form to file RTI for state department necessary to get the information you seek.